Ventilated insulating spacing shield for flashlight dry cells



June 23, 1953 A. H. MACKLENAR VENTILATED INSULATING SPACING SHIELD FOR FLASHLIGHT DRY CELLS Filed Dec. 22, 1949 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 23, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENTILATED INSULATING SPACING SHIELD FOR FLASHLIGHT DRY CELLS Albert H. Macklenar, Toledo, Ohio Application December 22, 1949, Serial No. 134,389

This invention relates to a flashlight, and more particularly to a shell for embracing or surrounding the dry cells in a flashlight.

The object of the invention is to provide a shell which is adapted to surround the dry cells in a flashlight, whereby rattling or movement of the dry cells in the flashlight casing will be prevented, and whereby the shell will insure that the dry cells are correctly aligned relative to each other and relative to the light bulb.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shell which is fabricated of an insulating material and which is interposed between the dry cells and casing of a flashlight preventing rattling of the dry cells and insuring that the dry cells make proper contact with each other and with the light bulb, the shell being provided with a plurality of spaced parallel slots for permitting air to circulate around the dry cells so as to prevent overheating thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shell for a flashlight which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and where like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a flashlight equipped with the shell of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the shell of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-43 of Figure Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown a conventional flashlight indicated generally by the numeral IO. The flashlight ID includes a cylindrical, hollow casing H which has a cap is closing its rear end. Mounted on the front end of the casing II is a cover l3 which carri s a lens l6, Figure 1.

A reflector I8 is arranged within the casing i l adjacent the front end thereof, and supported in the reflector I8 is the usual light bulb I5 which has the contact point I6. Arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to each other and positioned in the casing II is a pair of conventional dry cells ll. Although two dry cells have been shown in Figure 1, it is to be under- 1 Claim. (Cl. 24010.66)

. 2 stood that the flashlight may have any desired number of dry cells. For normally urging the dry cells ,l'l into engagement with the contacts I6 of the light bulb l5, a spring I8 is interposed between the cap 12 and the adjacent end of one of the dry cells IT.

The present invention is directed to a shell 19 which is adapted to be arranged in embracing or surroundin relation with respect to the dry cells I1 and the shell I 9 serves to prevent the dry cells I! from rattling or accidentally moving around in the casing I I. The shell l9 also insures that the dry cells I! will be maintained in their proper aligned position relative to each other and relative to the contact point I B.

The casing ll, cap I 2, cover 13 and reflector l8 are all preferably fabricated of a suitable electricity-conducting metal, and the shell is is fabricated of an insulating material, such as fibre, or a suitable plastic material. The shell l9 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the shell I9 is provided with a plurality of spaced parallel slots 20 which extend longitudinally along the shell ill for a portion of their length. The slots 26 define therebetween a plurality of spaced parallel ribs 2|. The slots 20 serve to permit air to circulate therethrough and around the dry cells I! so as to prevent the dry cells from sweating or becoming overheated.

Each of the ribs 2| is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending indentations 22 which engage the exterior surfaces of the dry cells ll. The indentations 22 are so arranged as to properly align the dry cells I! and prevent the I dry cells I! from rattling or moving in the easing H. The free ends of the shell l9 are spaced from each other so as to define a longitudinally extending channel 23, Figures 4 and 5. The channel 23 provides sufficient clearance whereby the shell H) can be positioned in the casing ll without interfering with the usual actuating switch of the flashlight. In other words, the channel or space 23 is adapted to have projecting therethrough the usual flashlight on-and-ofi switch.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a shell has been provided which, when arranged in a flashlight, will prevent the dry cells from rattling or moving out of their proper positions. Thus, the shell 19, which is fabricated of an insulating material, is arranged in surrounding relation with respect to the dry cells H, as shown in Figure 1, and the indentations 22 engage the exterior surfaces of the dry cells l1 so as to hold the dry cells I! firmly and immobile in the casing H. The

shell l9 will not interfere with the normal use of the flashlight [0. The slots 2|] will enable sufficient air to circulate around the dry cells I! so as to prevent the dry cells from becoming overheated, and the channel 23 will enable the shell 19 to be inserted in the casing II without interfering with the usual on-and-off switch of the flashlight.

The shell I9 can be manufactured in any suitable manner, such as by molding, and the shell I!) has sufficient strength so that it will retain its shape during use. By means of the shell of the present invention, the dry cells I! and light bulb l5 will have a longer life. If desired, the shell 19 can be fabricated on a punch press. The shell of the present invention maintains the dry cells I! in contact with each other and also maintains the dry cells in line with the bulb contact point [6.

What is claimed is:

A flashlight comprising a casing, a plurality of dry cells arranged in end to end relation in said casing, a light bulb electrically connected to said casing and dry cells, a shell arranged in sur rounding relation with respect to said dry cells for preventing said dry cells from rattling and 4 for insuring that the dry cells are maintained in alignment, said shell including a plurality of inwardly projecting indentations arranged in en gagement with said dry cells, there being a plurality of spaced parallel slots arranged in said shell for the circulation therethrough of air, said indentations bein arranged in groups with the indentations in each group arranged in alignment with each other, said shell having its longitudinal free ends spaced from each other to de fine a channel therebetween, said slots being arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shell, and said indentations having a V-shape.

ALBERT H. MACKLENAPU.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 618,706 Mead Jan. 31, 1899 1,451,348 Thorpe Apr. 10, 1923 1,464,413 Doe Aug. 7, 1923 1,735,797 Scott Nov. 12, 1929 1,913,946 Muldoon -1 June 13, 1933 2,204,707 Seiss June 18, ill l0 2,377,161 LeStra-nge et al. May 29, 1945 

